Stepladder

Abstract

A stepladder includes a step frame having legs and steps and a tray unit coupled to the step frame. The tray unit includes a utility tray mounted for pivotable movement relative to the step frame.

1. A stepladder comprising
 a frame unit including steps, 
 a utility tray, 
 tray-controller means for supporting the utility tray for pivoting movement about a pivot axis during a first stage of movement relative to the frame unit and for sliding movement relative to the pivot axis during a second stage of movement relative to the frame unit so that the utility tray can be moved by a user relative to the frame unit, in sequence, from a horizontal use position pivoting through an acute angle to attain an extended intermediate position, and then moving along an inclined path to attain a retracted storage position, and 
 wherein the utility tray is formed to include first and second post-receiver slots, the tray controller means includes a first tray mount that includes a first pivot post attached directly to a first leg of the frame, the first pivot post arranged to extend into the first post-receiver slot for movement therein, the tray controller means further includes a second tray mount that includes a second pivot post attached directly to a second leg of the frame, the second pivot post arranged to extend into the second post-receiver slot for movement therein and arranged to lie in axial alignment with the first pivot post to establish the pivot axis, each of the first and second post-receiver slots respectively has a first post receiver in a back end portion of the utility tray and a second post receiver formed in an opposite front end portion of the utility tray, the first pivot post lies within the first post receiver in the first post-receiver slot and the second pivot post lies within the first post receiver of the second post-receiver slot upon movement of the utility tray to attain each of the horizontal use position and the extended intermediate position, and the first pivot post lies within the second post receiver in the first post-receiver slot and the second pivot post lies within the second post-receiver in the second post-receiver slot upon movement of the utility tray to attain the retracted storage position alongside the step frame. 
 
     
     
       2. A stepladder comprising
 a foldable frame unit including a step frame including spaced-apart first and second legs and steps coupled to the first and second legs, and a stabilizer frame coupled to the step frame for folding movement between an expanded use position away from the step frame to a collapsed storage position alongside the step frame, 
 a utility tray, 
 tray-controller means for supporting the utility tray for pivoting movement about a pivot axis, the tray moving relative to the step frame through an acute angle during a first stage of movement from a horizontal use position oriented to lie at an obtuse angle to the step frame to an extended intermediate position oriented to project upwardly away from the step frame and for sliding movement relative to the pivot axis during a second stage of movement from the extended intermediate position to a retracted storage position oriented to lie alongside the step frame, wherein the utility tray can moved relative to the step frame by a user, in series, among the horizontal use position, the extended intermediate position, and the retracted storage position independent of any folding action of the step and stabilizer frames included in the foldable frame unit, 
 wherein the tray-controller means includes a first tray mount coupled to the first leg of the step frame and a second tray mount coupled to the second leg of the step frame, the first and second tray mounts lie in spaced-apart relation to one another and at least a portion of the utility tray lies in a space provided between the first and second tray mounts upon movement of the utility tray to each of the horizontal use, extended intermediate, and retracted storage positions, and 
 wherein the utility tray is formed to include first and second post-receiver slots, the first tray mount includes a first pivot post attached directly to the first leg and extending into the first post-receiver slot for movement therein, the second tray mount includes a second pivot post attached directly to the second leg and extending into the second post-receiver slot for movement therein and to lie in axial alignment with the first pivot post to establish the pivot axis, each of the first and second post-receiver slots has a respective first post receiver in a back end portion of the utility tray and a respective second post receiver formed in an opposite front end portion of the utility tray, the first pivot post lies within the respective first post receiver in the first post-receiver slot and the second pivot post lies within the respective first post receiver of the second post-receiver slot upon movement of the utility tray to attain each of the horizontal use position and the extended intermediate position and the first pivot post lies within the respective second post receiver in the first post-receiver slot and the second pivot post lies within the respective second post-receiver in the second post-receiver slot upon movement of the utility tray to attain the retracted storage position alongside the step frame. 
 
     
     
       3. The stepladder of  claim 2 , wherein each of the first and second tray mounts includes a horizontal surface arranged to mate with and support the utility tray at the obtuse angle relative to the step frame upon movement of the utility tray to attain the horizontal use position, and each of the first and second tray mounts respectively includes an inclined surface arranged to cooperate with the horizontal surface to define an obtuse angle therebetween and to mate with and support the utility tray for sliding movement along the step frame between the extended intermediate position and the retracted storage position. 
     
     
       4. The stepladder of  claim 3 , wherein the first tray mount includes a cap retained in a fixed position on the first leg of the step frame and a tray brace appended to the cap and configured to include the horizontal and inclined surfaces. 
     
     
       5. The stepladder of  claim 3 , wherein the utility tray is formed to include a first post-receiver slot, the first tray mount includes a cap retained in a fixed position on the first leg of the step frame and a first pivot post coupled to the cap and arranged to extend away from the cap and into the first post-receiver slot for movement therein during movement of the utility tray relative to the step frame between the extended intermediate position and the retracted storage position, and the first pivot post is arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the respective inclined surface to allow a portion of the utility tray to move in a space provided between the first pivot post and the respective inclined post during sliding movement of the utility tray between the extended intermediate position and the retracted storage position. 
     
     
       6. The stepladder of  claim 2 , wherein the utility tray is formed to cause the first post-receiver slot to include an elongated guide channel extending between and interconnecting the respective first and second post receivers and receiving the first pivot post therein to provide means for guiding the utility tray along an inclined path relative to the step frame during sliding movement of the utility tray relative to the first pivot post and the step frame from the extended intermediate position to the retracted storage position. 
     
     
       7. The stepladder of  claim 6 , wherein the utility tray is also formed to include detent means located between the respective first post receiver and the elongated guide channel for temporarily retaining the first pivot post in the respective first post receiver while the utility tray is oriented to lie in the horizontal use position and during the first stage of movement of the utility tray relative to the step frame as the utility tray pivots about the pivot axis between the horizontal use position and the extended intermediate position. 
     
     
       8. The stepladder of  claim 6 , wherein the utility tray is also formed to include detent means located between the elongated guide channel and the respective second post receiver for temporarily retaining the first pivot post in the respective second post receiver after sliding movement of the utility tray relative to the step frame along the inclined path and after arrival of the utility tray at the retracted storage position to block unwanted relative movement of the utility tray with respect to the step frame. 
     
     
       9. A stepladder comprising
 a step frame including first and second legs and step coupled to the first the and second legs, 
 a stabilizer frame coupled to the step frame for pivotable movement about an axis of rotation occurring between an expanded use position arranged to lie in splayed relation to the step frame and a collapsed storage position arranged to lie alongside the step frame, 
 a tray unit including a utility tray configured to have a first post-receiver slot, a first tray mount coupled to the first leg and arranged to mate with the utility tray during pivoting and sliding movement of the utility tray relative to the first leg, and a second tray mount coupled to the second leg and arranged to mate with the utility tray during pivoting and sliding movement of the utility tray relative to the second leg, and 
 wherein the first tray mount includes a first cap directly coupled to the first leg, wherein the first cap includes a tray brace having a horizontal surface configured and aligned to mate with and support the utility tray upon movement of the utility tray relative to the step frame to attain a horizontal use position, the horizontal surface arranged to lie at an obtuse angle relative to the step frame, the tray brace further includes an inclined surface configured and aligned to mate with and support the utility tray for sliding movement along the step frame from an extended intermediate position wherein the utility tray extends upwardly beyond the first tray mount to a retracted storage position wherein the utility tray lies alongside the step frame, the first cap further having a first pivot post arranged to extend into and remain in the first post-receiver slot of the tray during pivoting and sliding movement of the utility tray relative to the step frame. 
 
     
     
       10. The stepladder of  claim 9 , wherein the utility tray is formed to include a first post receiver at one end of the first post-receiver slot and the first pivot post is arranged to extend into and remain in the first post receiver during pivotable movement of the utility tray occurring between the horizontal use position and the extended intermediate position, the pivotable movement being about a pivot axis, the pivot axis being established by the first pivot post located away from the horizontal surface of the first tray mount. 
     
     
       11. The stepladder of  claim 10 , wherein the utility tray is formed to include a second post receiver at another end of the first post-receiver slot and the first pivot post is arranged to extend into the second post receiver upon arrival of the utility tray at the retracted storage position. 
     
     
       12. The stepladder of  claim 9 , wherein the utility tray is formed to include a first post receiver at one end of the first post-receiver slot and the first pivot post is arranged to extend into and remain in the first post receiver during pivotable movement of the utility tray occurring between the horizontal use position and the extended intermediate position, pivotable movement being about a pivot axis, the pivot axis being established by the first pivot post located away from the horizontal surface of the first tray mount, the utility tray is formed to include a second post receiver at another end of the first post-receiver slot and the first pivot post is arranged to extend into the second post receiver upon arrival of the utility tray at the retracted storage position, and the utility tray is also formed to include an elongated guide channel interconnecting the first and second post receivers and receiving the first pivot post therein during sliding movement of the utility tray on the inclined surface between the extended intermediate position and the retracted storage position. 
     
     
       13. The stepladder of  claim 9 , wherein the utility tray is formed to include a first post receiver at one end of the first post-receiver slot and the first pivot post is arranged to extend into and remain in the first post receiver during pivotable movement of the utility tray occurring between the horizontal use position and the extended intermediate position, pivotable movement being about a pivot axis, the pivot axis being established by the first pivot post located away from the horizontal surface of the first tray mount, the utility tray is formed to include a second post receiver at another end of the first post-receiver slot and the first pivot post is arranged to extend into the second post receiver upon arrival of the utility tray at the retracted storage position, and the utility tray is also formed to include an elongated guide channel interconnecting the first and second post receivers and receiving the first pivot post therein during sliding movement of the utility tray on the inclined surface between the extended intermediate position and the retracted storage position, and wherein the utility tray further includes first detent means located between the first post receiver and the elongated guide channel for temporarily retaining the first pivot post in the first post receiver while the utility tray is oriented to lie in the horizontal use position and during a first stage of movement of the utility tray relative to the step frame as the utility tray pivots about the pivot axis between the horizontal use position and the extended intermediate position, and the utility tray further includes a second detent means located between the elongated guide channel and the second post receiver for temporarily retaining the first pivot post in the second post receiver after sliding movement of the utility tray relative to the step frame along an inclined path and after arrival of the utility tray at the retracted storage position to block unwanted relative movement of the utility tray with respect to the step frame. 
     
     
       14. The stepladder of  claim 9 , wherein the utility tray is formed to include the first post-receiver slot and the first mount includes the first cap coupled to the first leg of the step frame, and the first cap is coupled to the first pivot post which is arranged to extend into and remain in the first-post receiver slot during pivoting and sliding movement of the utility tray relative to the step frame. 
     
     
       15. The stepladder of  claim 14 , wherein the utility tray is formed to include a first post receiver at one end of the first post-receiver slot and the first pivot post is arranged to extend into and remain in the first post receiver during pivotable movement of the utility tray occurring between the horizontal use position and the extended intermediate position, pivotable movement being about a pivot axis, the pivot axis being established by the first pivot post located away from the horizontal surface of the first tray mount. 
     
     
       16. The stepladder of  claim 9 , wherein the stabilizer frame includes a first support member and a first hinge coupled to the first leg and to the first support member, the first hinge includes a hinge pin coupled to the first leg and to the first support member to provide means for supporting the first support member for pivotable movement about the axis of rotation between the expanded use position and the collapsed storage position, and the first hinge also includes a hinge-pin mount coupled to the hinge pin to support the hinge pin in coextensive relation to an axis of rotation and an accessory mount coupled to the hinge-pin mount and formed to include a base receptacle, and further comprising a stepladder accessory including a tool holder and a base coupled to the tool holder and located in the base receptacle of the accessory mount to support the tool holder in a fixed position on the hinge-pin mount. 
     
     
       17. The stepladder of  claim 16 , wherein the hinge-pin mount includes a top wall formed to include a leg-receiver aperture receiving a portion of the first leg of the step frame therein and a downwardly opening funnel-shaped side wall depending from the top wall and surrounding mating portions of the first leg of the step frame and the first support member of the stabilizer frame and wherein the funnel-shaped side wall is formed to include a hinge-pin aperture receiving a portion of the hinge pin therein. 
     
     
       18. The stepladder of  claim 17 , wherein the accessory mount further includes a mount plate formed to include a neck-receiving slot and a stand-off plate coupled to the funnel-shaped side wall and to the mount plate to separate the mount plate from the funnel-shaped side wall to define the base receptacle located between the mount plate and the funnel-shaped side wall, and the tool holder includes a carrier and a neck arranged to interconnect the base and the carrier and to lie in the neck-receiving slot formed in the mount plate when the base is located in the base receptacle to hold the carrier in a stationary position relative to the hinge-pin mount outside the base receptacle. 
     
     
       19. The stepladder of  claim 9 , wherein the step frame further includes a mount rung associated with each step and arranged to extend between and interconnect the first and second legs of the step frame, each step is formed to include a rung receiver receiving therein an associated one of the mount rungs, and the step frame further includes retainer means coupled to each step for retaining the companion mount rung in the rung receiver formed in said step yet allowing pivoting movement of said step about a pivot axis established by the mount rung during movement of the stabilizer frame relative to the step frame between the expanded use position and the collapsed storage position, wherein the retainer means includes a strap arranged to trap a companion mount rung in an associated rung receiver and a fastener coupled to an associated strap and an associated step to retain the strap in a stationary position on the companion step.